The Town of Gravenhurst’s annual participation in the Communities in Bloom (CIB) competition took a controversial turn this year amid conflict of interest accusations.
During the latest Gravenhurst Town council meeting, the Town’s integrity commissioner ruled that Coun. Sandy Cairns was in a conflict of interest when she brought forward a motion to support the Town’s participation in CIB. However, the Commisoner also ruled the incident was no more than an error in judgment.
“There is no hint of bad faith,” said Integrity Commissioner Suzanne Craig. “ I am satisfied the Respondent (Carins)’s explanation to be her honestly held belief that the meetings in question did not affect her pecuniary interest since she was an unpaid volunteer member of CIB.”
The issue began in January when the Integrity Commissioner received a complaint that Cairns was acting in an undisclosed conflict of interest when she put a motion to support CIB before council in December, 2023. The motion proposed that the Town create a staff-supported committee of council, draft a work plan for competing in the 2025 Communities In Bloom competition, and develop a budget to pay for the entry fee, visiting judges and a trip to the awards ceremonies. The complaint also stipiulated there was a conflict on Dec. 19, 2023 when Cairns reiterated her support for the Town to participate in CIB.
Communities in Bloom is a Canada-wide not-for-profit organization that hosts competitions where communities are judged on beautification. Gravenhurst has been involved in the competition for more than 20 years and Cairns sits on the board of directors for CIB. The position is unpaid.
“The only gain received is the betterment of the communities bringing people together promoting beautification and community pride,” said Cairns in her written response to the allegation.
The entry fee is $700 and Cairns asked council to support entry in the competition, which was ruled a conflict of interest.
“The Respondent (Cairns) appears to have breached the MCIA (Municipal Conflict of Interest Act) by bringing forward her motion that Gravenhurst participate in Communities in Bloom, by her advocacy on behalf of the organization through emails, by her statement on December 18th , and by her participation in the drafting of the upcoming report to Council on the matter,” said Craig in her ruling.
Craig recommended no penalty be given to Cairns, as the mistake was made in good faith, but she cautioned council that the responsibility for determining conflict of interest falls to them and not municipal staff.
Heidi Lorenz agreed and said the matter should be a lesson to all councillors in due diligence.
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